“Hi.” Gale shut the book and set it aside.
I softly closed the door but didn’t move farther, aiming for a friendly, nonthreatening smile. I was more nervous than I expected, which wasn’t like me. Whatever this was between us had fucked me up.
I held up the takeout bag. “Are you hungry? I got food.”
“Oh… For both of us?”
“Yeah. Didn’t want your stomach growling when we were on the road later.”
“Thanks.” He glanced around as though wondering where we might eat.
“I haven’t seen you all afternoon. Your sister didn’t seem concerned, but… I wanted to be sure you were okay.”
“I’m fine. I was…” He glanced at his book and pressed his lips together. “Napping?”
I chuckled. “If Charles asks, I will swear an oath to that effect.” I indicated the door. “There’s a picnic bench outside at the far end of the parking lot, and it hasn’t started raining. The wind is picking up, but… Care to join me?”
Gale glanced at the door to the outside but didn’t seem thrilled at the suggestion.
“Look, I’d rather sit in here too, but I suspect the film crew is reporting to Charles, and they saw me come in here with food. We can’t camp out in our rooms.”
“There’s no privacy anywhere.”
“Unfortunately, no.”
Gale sighed. “Okay. I guess.”
Entering the room proper, I shuffled the food into one arm and snagged Gale’s hand, tugging him to his feet.
He froze, questions in his eyes.
Without saying a word, I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his mouth. It was brief and chaste, but I’d been dying to do it all day.
When I pulled away, I offered a gentle smile that he shakily returned, but not without a metric ton of apprehension.
23
Ozrik
As we settled at the picnic table, I glanced around, seeking signs of Charles’s camera crew, but we seemed to have gotten lucky. It was a matter of time before they found us. With nine people, they couldn’t be everywhere at once. I didn’t know what Roe was like, but Noah filmed with caution and care. He wouldn’t consciously compromise someone’s privacy.
We had a moment’s peace, and I intended to take advantage of it.
The churning, angry sky drew Gale’s attention. He studied it as I unpacked the food containers. The wind ruffled his hair, and for a second, I thought I felt rain on my cheeks and paused. When I didn’t feel it again, I continued.
“The temperature is dropping,” Gale said as I slid a portion toward him.
As though in response, a distant rumble rolled across the city.
He pointed at the sky. “That way. See that formation? It looks promising.”
I did. Our time was running out.
“Better eat fast. I have a feeling we’re going to have to run soon.”
Gale checked inside the containers, and a soft smile turned his lips.
I silently cheered.
